Orlando—The City Beautiful—grew from cattle and citrus into the world capital of theme parks after a 1965 announcement by Walt Disney reshaped Central Florida. Today it’s a dynamic patchwork of lakes, live oaks, creative neighborhoods, and a culinary scene that ranges from barbecue to Michelin stars.

Beyond Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, you’ll find serene gardens, glassy springs perfect for kayaking, and museums brimming with Tiffany glass. Kennedy Space Center is just over an hour away, where moonshot history and next‑gen rockets ignite the imagination.

Practical notes: Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the main gateway. Expect sudden afternoon showers year-round and peak heat June–September; hurricane season runs June–November. Driving is convenient, but rideshares are abundant; toll roads are common. For theme parks, arrive early, hydrate, and leverage line-skipping tools to maximize your days.

Orlando

Why go: Where else can you ride a dragon coaster in the morning, browse Tiffany masterpieces in the afternoon, then sip cocktails in a century-old speakeasy by night? Orlando delivers big thrills and small surprises.

• Top sights: Walt Disney World (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom), Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, Disney Springs, Lake Eola Park, Leu Gardens, Winter Park’s Park Avenue and Scenic Boat Tour, Kennedy Space Center (day trip).
• Neighborhoods to explore: Winter Park for boutiques and the Morse Museum; Mills 50 for Asian eats and murals; Audubon Park for East End Market; Ivanhoe Village for retro shops and breweries; Downtown/Thornton Park for lakeside strolling and nightcaps.
• Dining highlights: Knife & Spoon (steakhouse with a Michelin star), Capa (Spanish steakhouse with skyline views), Soseki (omakase), The Ravenous Pig (gastropub), Domu (ramen), Prato (Italian), Reyes Mezcaleria (modern Mexican), Se7en Bites (Southern brunch).
• Fun facts: Orlando has more than 100 lakes; Lake Eola’s fountain is the city’s icon, and its regal swans have their own caretakers.

Where to stay:

• For a refined resort near the parks: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort (rooftop steakhouse Capa, lazy river, kids’ club).
• For Waldorf service and a stellar pool complex: Waldorf Astoria Orlando.
• For suites and a waterpark the kids will adore: Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark.
• For value on International Drive with easy access to ICON Park: Rosen Inn International.
• For animated, family-friendly theming: Disney's Art of Animation Resort.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Orlando | Hotels.com Orlando

How to get there: Fly into MCO—typical nonstop times are ~2–3 hours from the Northeast, ~3–5 from the Midwest/Texas, and ~5–6 from the West Coast; domestic roundtrips often run ~$150–$450 outside holidays. Search airfare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Rideshares are plentiful; if you plan day trips, consider a rental car.

Day 1: Arrival, ICON Park, and International Drive Flavors

Morning: Travel day. Book a flight to Orlando International (MCO) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim for an early arrival to settle in before dinner.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel. Shake off travel with a stroll through ICON Park—boutique shops, street performers, and casual attractions. For a quick bite, hit Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips (crispy cod with curry sauce) or Tapa Toro for flamenco vibes and paella by the pan.

Evening: Dinner at Café Tu Tu Tango, a colorful small-plates institution where local artists paint as you dine (don’t miss the chimichurri steak skewers and bacon-wrapped dates). Grab a nightcap at The Hampton Social (rooftop rosé, live music) or take a twilight spin on the observation wheel for 360° city views. Rest up—tomorrow’s magic starts early.

Day 2: Walt Disney World—Classic Magic or Foodie EPCOT

Morning: Beat the crowds by arriving 30–45 minutes before posted opening (“rope drop”). At Magic Kingdom, start with Space Mountain or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train; at EPCOT, head straight to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (virtual queue) or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Consider Disney’s Lightning Lane passes (book select return times in advance) to reduce waits; date-based tickets typically don’t require park reservations.

Afternoon: Lunch ideas: Sleepy Hollow (fresh waffle sandwiches) in Magic Kingdom, or EPCOT’s Regal Eagle (smoked meats and craft beer). Between attractions, cool off with a Dole Whip or EPCOT’s frozen Viking Coffee. Pace yourself with indoor shows—Carousel of Progress, Hall of Presidents, or The American Adventure.

Evening: Cap the day with a castle or lagoon nighttime spectacular (fireworks often 8–10 pm; arrive early for viewing). Post-show eats at Disney Springs: The Polite Pig for Florida barbecue (burnt ends, cheddar grits), Wine Bar George for 200+ pours by master sommelier, or Gideon’s Bakehouse for half-pound cookies—join the virtual queue.

Tickets: Secure a day ticket via Walt Disney World Orlando Resort Base Ticket before you go.

Day 3: Universal Orlando—Thrills and Wizarding Worlds

Morning: Enter Universal Islands of Adventure first and beeline to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Jurassic World VelociCoaster for the biggest thrills. Butterbeer break in Hogsmeade (try it cold or frozen) before catching the Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios Florida—Park-to-Park access required.

Afternoon: In Universal Studios, tackle The Bourne Stuntacular, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (choose your own soundtrack), and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Lunch at The Leaky Cauldron (steak and ale pie) or TODAY Cafe (Al Roker’s turkey avocado sandwich). Hydrate—Florida sun is no joke.

Evening: Unwind at Universal CityWalk. Dinner at VIVO Italian Kitchen (housemade pasta), The Cowfish (sushi-burger mashups), or Antojitos (tableside guacamole). For dessert, Voodoo Doughnut (maple “bacon bar”) rarely disappoints.

Tickets: Book the Universal Orlando Park to Park Tickets - USA / Canada Residents to ride the Hogwarts Express between parks.

Day 4: Kennedy Space Center Day Tour (Space History + Rockets)

Let a guided coach handle logistics so you can dive deep into NASA history. Highlights include the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit (don’t miss the launch simulator), the Saturn V rocket in the Apollo/Saturn V Center, IMAX films, and the Rocket Garden. Budget for 10–11 hours door-to-door; bring a light jacket for air‑conditioned exhibits and comfortable shoes—there’s a lot to explore.

Book it: Kennedy Space Center with Transport from Orlando and Kissimmee.

Day 5: Springs Kayaking + Winter Park Art and Eats

Morning: Drive ~35–45 minutes to Rock Springs for a guided glass-bottom kayak tour through sapphire-clear water shaded by cypress. Wildlife sightings can include turtles and otters; mornings are calmer and clearer.

Reserve: Rock Springs 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour.

Afternoon: Head to Winter Park. Lunch at Prato (wood‑fired pizzas; the Widowmaker with fennel sausage is a favorite) or The Ravenous Pig (soft pretzels with mustard and gruyère fondue). Then float past lakeside mansions and Rollins College on the scenic boat tour. Art lovers: The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum houses the world’s most comprehensive Tiffany glass collection.

Evening: Stroll Park Avenue’s boutiques. Dinner options: Soseki (intimate 10-seat omakase; book well in advance), The Wine Room (Enomatic machines let you sample rare pours), or Bosphorous (house-made Turkish bread, smoky babaganoush). Nightcap at The Courtesy (classic cocktails, now with a Winter Park outpost).

Day 6: Orlando Like a Local—Gardens, Markets, and Mills 50

Morning: Coffee at Lineage (seasonal single-origin pours) or Foxtail’s flagship (try the nitro cold brew). Wander Harry P. Leu Gardens—a 50-acre escape with roses, camellias, and a lakefront historic home—then feed the swans on a loop around Lake Eola (swan boat rentals available).

Afternoon: Graze your way through Audubon Park’s East End Market: pick up Gideon’s cookies if the satellite counter is open, grab La Femme du Fromage grilled cheese, and a Domu chikin sandwich if available. Continue to Mills 50 for a food crawl—Viet-Nomz (banh mi), Black Rooster Taqueria (achiote pork tacos), and King Bao (pork belly bao) are standouts. Coffee break at Easy Luck or Craft & Common downtown.

Evening: Dinner downtown at Reyes Mezcaleria (tlayudas, ceviches, an excellent mezcal list) or Knife & Spoon at The Ritz-Carlton (dry-aged ribeye and pristine seafood). For cocktails, choose Mathers Social Gathering (vintage library vibe) or The Guesthouse in Mills 50 (bright, botanical). If schedules align, catch a show at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Day 7: Brunch, Disney Springs Shopping, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Se7en Bites in the Milk District—order the signature buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy or the salted caramel pecan donut bread pudding. Alternatively, The Glass Knife in Winter Park serves elegant pastries and a solid croque madame.

Afternoon: Last‑minute shopping at Disney Springs (Uniqlo, art prints at WonderGround) or the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets. Quick bites before you go: Chicken Guy! (sauce sampler) or Morimoto Asia Street Food for bao and ramen. Depart for MCO—most hotels are 20–30 minutes from the airport, but allow extra time for I‑4 traffic and rental car returns.

Evening: Fly home with sun-kissed photos and pockets full of pressed pennies.

Additional tips: Theme park parking runs ~$30–$40/day; rideshares can be more efficient for one-park days. Afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast—pack a light poncho. For table-service restaurants at Disney, Universal, and popular local spots, reservations 2–4 weeks out are wise, especially on weekends and holidays.

Optional add-ons (if you extend): Gatorland for classic Florida wildlife, Ivanhoe Park Brewing for local suds, or Orlando City SC soccer when in season.

One last treat before departure: If you missed it earlier, consider a sky-high spin over International Drive with an air‑conditioned capsule and sunset views.

Summary: In seven days, you’ll experience Orlando’s headliners—Walt Disney World and Universal—without missing its springs, neighborhoods, and standout restaurants. Come for the rides, stay for the art, gardens, and great eats that give the City Beautiful its soul.